“Te preocupas demasiado, Boris.” You worry too much Boris.
Shutting the door behind me I didn’t hesitate to run into the forest surrounding our home. Laughing as I jumped on rocks and over logs. No matter how many times I played out here I always found something else to entertain myself with.
I spent most the day watching bugs, trying to catch rabbits, watching the birds, or jumping on rocks above the stream. Boris always told me to be careful when doing that as some days the currents get really strong but I never had a problem with it… okay maybe one time I fell in on one of those days but I was fine. Soaked. But fine!
I went back around lunch time. Talking with Boris about all the things I saw as I ate the sandwiches he made us. Putting my plate in the sink I ran back out, grabbing a stick on the way I pretended it was a sword, swinging it at branches pretending they were dark knights. I liked pretending I was a knight protecting my kingdom! Said kingdom being the forest. It’s not like I had any other kids to play with. No one lives in the forest but me and Boris. No kids in the village come this deep in the forest so I can’t exactly find play mates.
Leaving my stick in a rock I hummed a tune I remembered from the village. The sun dipping below the horizon slowly. I liked when Boris had me come with him to get groceries! Sometimes we would get candy! My favorite ones are dark chocolate. Boris finds them to bitter for his liking but I love them!
Looking to the noise I saw the old trail to the deepest part of the forest. There used to be a village there but it was abandoned for some reason. Wolves and other more dangerous critters took over the place. Last time I wondered too deep in there Boris had to come get me. I couldn’t walk for a while because my back and ankle hurt too bad from the bite and claw marks.
Seeing footsteps on the dirt I ran over, hiding behind a bush for precaution before peaking out. Seeing a cup boy walking down the path. He was covered in blood, seeming to be lost in thought. Was he hurt? Maybe he got into a fight of some kind?
Realizing he was heading down the path to the abandoned village I ran out of the bushes after him. With all that blood the wolves would surely smell him and attack him! I can’t let that happen!
Grabbing his hand I planted my feet on the ground to stop. He froze when I grabbed his hand, looking over at me confused and surprised. I didn’t notice the tension in his shoulders or the tension of danger in the air.
“¿Adónde vas? ¡No es seguro tan lejos! ¡Especialmente tan tarde y encima cubierto de sangre!” Where are you going? It's not safe this deep out! Especially this late and covered in blood no less!
I scolded him lightly, tugging his hand lightly to urge him away from going deeper into the path. “What?” I didnt respond, turning I pulled him along carefully, going back to opposite direction back to my house. Well- Boris’ house technically but I live there too so it counts!
“¡Vamos! Tenemos que volver rápido. Le preguntaré a Boris si puede prepararte sopa. ¿Te gusta la sopa? Principalmente tenemos sopa de tocino, pero podemos encontrar otro tipo si lo deseas.” Come on! We need to get back quick. I'll ask Boris if he can make you some soup. You like soup? We mainly have bacon soup but we can find another kind if you'd like.
We really need more food in our house. Well- more varieties I guess. I love bacon soup! But I know Boris probably gets tired of eating it every night.
“No deberías caminar por el bosque cubierto de sangre. ¡Eso es buscar problemas! ¿Y si te atacara un lobo? Aquí hay manadas enteras. Es muy peligroso, sobre todo si vas solo. Yo conozco la zona, así que no me pasaría nada. Pero sé que nunca te he visto por aquí antes, ¡así que está claro que no sabes adónde vas! Deberías prestar atención a tu entorno.” You shouldn't walk through the forest covered in blood. That's asking for trouble! What if a wolf attacks you? There are whole packs of them here. It's very dangerous, especially if you're alone. I know the area, so nothing would happen to me. But I know I've never seen you around here before, so it's clear you don't know where you're going! You should pay attention to your surroundings.
Scolding him lightly I stepped around a few bushes, pulling his along. His hand was stiff in mine, not making a sound as he just let me pull him along. Does he not know how to talk to people? Maybe he has social anxiety. Boris told me about it once. Or maybe he’s just shy? Maybe that’s why he’s out here alone. Is he being bullied? Maybe that’s why he was covered in blood.
Reaching the house I perked up, smiling as speed up a little. “Boris! I’m back!” I used English this time to call out to my brother. I’m not exactly fluent in English just yet. I can understand it of course! But I’m still learning how to speak it. Boris is a good teacher so I’m not too worried about it.
I stopped a bit away from the house as the door opened I waited excitedly as Boris stepped out. Unaware of who I just brought back. I decided not to take him in immediately as he was covered in blood and Boris had a sensitive nose.
Not noticing he look on Boris’ face I smiled and gestured to the cup boy “¡Perdona por haber tardado tanto, Boris! Encontré a este chico vagando por lo más profundo del bosque. ¡No podía dejarlo allí! ¡Así que lo traje aquí!” Sorry I took so long Boris! I found this guy wandering to the deeper part of the forest. I couldn’t just leave him! So I brought him here!
A long moment of silence passed, I guessed I should have guessed as much, Boris isn’t much of a talker and this guy seems shy, no surprise neither said anything yet. My smile faltered as I felt the cup pull his hand away from mine, looking back at him confused as he stepped away from me, not looking at my face.
“I should go…” his voice was only a mutter, the same volume as earlier even though he didn’t say much. What’s with his tone? Did I do something wrong?
“¿Eh? ¿A dónde vas? We just got here.” Huh? Where are you going?
I didn’t get a response, standing I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t exactly force him to stay, I didn’t know him very much and I think Boris said forcing people to stay places you took them to without telling them is kidnapping. Which is bad I think.
I took a step forward but stopped when Boris walked past me, already going into action. Grabbing the cups should stopping him in his tracks.
“Hold on, it’s late and not safe to walk through the forest after dark. Especially alone. How about you come inside for the night? We don’t exactly have any spare rooms so you might have to take the couch if that’s okay.”
I blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then immediately ran forward, not noticing the bewildered look on the cup’s face. I grabbed his hand, my smile returning twice as wide as I dragged him to the house, making sure not to knock him over.
“¡Sí! ¡Vamos! ¡Te enseñaré mi habitación, puedes coger prestada algo de nuestra ropa hasta que lavemos la tuya! Necesitas un baño urgentemente.” Yes! Come on! I’ll show you my room, you can borrow some of our clothes until we wash yours! You really need a bath.
Pulling him into the house I immediately pulled him to my room. Boris lingering outside for a bit. I wasn’t surprised, he probably just isn’t used to someone being in our house. He always seems tense in the village so I guess that’s the same for people at our home.
Pushing open my door I let go of his hand, immediately going to my draws. My room wasn’t very big, a simple beg against the wall with a few worn plushies I would find around the forest and village. Boris always made me wash them so I didn’t get sick, so they weren’t dirty. Boris had picked up all my clothes I tossed on the floor. I know he tells me to pick up after myself, but I’m a busy guy! I have adventures to take care of!
Grabbing a towel and cloth from one of the draws (cause Boris got tired of me spilling drink and having to go find a towel) I set a pair of Boris’ shorts and shirt on my bed, they were his old pair that didn’t fit him anymore. They were a bit big on me, so they should fit him perfectly!
“Quítatelo. Your shirt. Está cubierto de sangre, hay que lavarlo.” Take it off. It’s covered in blood, it needs washed.
He looked down at me confused for a moment before seeming to understand what I was saying. Does he know Spanish? I’ll ask him later. I waited until he took off the bloodied black shirt. It was more of a sweater than a shirt but whatever. Grabbing the towel I took the shirt from him, wrapping it up in the towel so it wouldn’t get blood on the floor before setting it aside.
Turning back to him I paused, his chest and arms were completely covered in crack. Some thicker than others. Some curved. Others straight or circular. I wonder where he got those from. Shaking my head I focus on the task at hand. Stepping in front of him with the cloth, beginning to wipe away the blood on his face. So there wasn’t so much.
“¡Aquí! Déjame ayudarte con eso. Debes haber tenido una gran pelea, ¿eh? ¡Recuerdo que una vez me corté con una rama y me hice mucho daño! Creo que todavía tengo una cicatriz en la espalda por eso. Tienes muchas cicatrices, ¿eres aventurero o algo así? ¿Como en los libros que leo? Pareces un poco joven para ser aventurero.” Here! Let me help with that. You must have gotten into a big fight huh? I remember I got cut my a branch once and hurt supper bad! I think i still have a scar on my back cause of it. You cave a lot of scars, are you an adventurer or something? Like in the books I read? You seem a little young to be an adventurer.
I knew I was rambling but I was too excited to care. We never have anyone over! Boris never lets anyone know where we live for some reason. Saying it’s not safe, what’s not safe? Everyone seems so nice!
“Hey, Bendy I’ll get a bath ready for him alright. Just try not to make a mess.”
“Okay, Boris!” I didn’t look over at the doorway, knowing Boris was there. The cup guys glanced over at Boris as I stepped away to grab another cloth, there was way too much blood for this. With my back turned I didn’t notice the look Boris and the cup shared. The unease on Boris’ face as he looked over the scars on the cups body. His ears folding back as he left, footsteps fading down the hallway.
“¿Quizás debería usar una toalla?” Maybe I should use a towel? I mumbled to myself thoughtfully. Not realizing I just let a killer into our house.
(authors note: I have gotten privately messaged that it’s offensive to white Spanish if I’m not Mexican as it’s apparently racist. Not that anyone needs to know this. But I am Mexican American. Leaning more to my Mexican heritage than American as 90% of my family is Mexican. I just haven’t used Spanish in a long time due to living in English language areas. Please if you feel offended by something like someone writing Spanish please be respectful about it. I and no one else should have to be spammed mean messages over simply having a Mexican character when the author is assumed to be American. If they are mocking the language they type, then I understand to a degree. But someone simply having a non English speaking character while not being from that background is not a reason to send hate. Be kind please. Good night.)
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